Yale SOM ($$) vs. Ross ($)

Hey There! Super congrats on getting into two amazing B-schools - I know wherever you attend, you'll have an incredible experience and learn a bunch!

I was in a very similar position as you - I came from a startup background and was very keen on working in tech post-MBA. When I was considering all the schools, particularly if you are interested in getting into Tech and maybe starting your own venture one day, the network is very, very important.

SOM's alumni network has exceeded my expectations - The alumni network is extraordinarily close-knit (I know it's but one metric, but perhaps an appropriate proxy is that over 50% of all alumni from SOM contribute each year to the school). Further, the fact that SOM strives to be the business school that is most closely integrated with our parent university means that we are able to very easily tap into the Greater Yale Network - not only during school (since you can take an unlimited number of classes outside of SOM after you complete the integrated core curriculum), so you mean many folks from the college, and all of the other graduate and professional schools but you are also able to easily connect with all Yale Alumni - that's actually how I got my internship in between my first and second year - through a Yale College Grad who founded a tech company. There are bunch of SOM and Yale grads in VC, and it's been extraordinarily helpful as my startup is getting ready to raise our seed. If you're looking to work in New York or SF - these are the cities with the two highest concentrations of SOM grads - so you'll be in good company and can expect a bunch of support.

Wilch already noted that SOM is a huge feeder into MBB, so if that's a possibility for you, SOM will definitely prepare you well for that and give you the access to the recruiters - I recall hearing that there might be the largest class of students going into them this year for the internship.

Definitely would +1 your comments about the diversity, as that was also very important to me and you'll definitely get that in spades at SOM. The Leadership Development Program was also fantastic at SOM - SOM provides professional coaches for you to meet with 1-on-1 on top of the curriculum, and I was able to take advantage of that nearly a dozen times.

Like Wilch, I'm also happy to chat if you have any questions or connect you with current students or alums in a particular function or industry.

Best of luck! You have a hard decision ahead of you!

Dan SOM '16